The AIF Project

Ernest James SHERRIFF

Regimental number1425
Place of birthBallarat Victoria
ReligionMethodist
OccupationLabourer
Address99 Fyans Street, Chilwell, Geelong, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, Chris T Sherriff, 99 Fyans Street, Chilwell, Geelong, Victoria
Enlistment date13 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name13th Light Horse Regiment, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number10/18/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia 4 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On the 6th Nopvember, 1917, at REUTEL, this man was enior signaller with the Group Observation Officer. They were working in an open trench in our front line and were exposed to considerable fire from shortly after the commencement of the operation. It was Gunner SHERRIFF's duty to communicate to JERK HOUSE by lamp signal and although he was unable to raise this Station he exposed himself for about two hours in this trench endeavouring to call it up and did not desist notwithstanding the heavy fire in the neighbourhood and the fact that he was nearly buried by shells on two occasions. When the Observation Officer, seeing the enemy massing for a counter attack fired the prearranged rocket signals, but was severely wounded before they had been acknowledged. Gunner SHERRIFF took up this duty and continued to fire rockets until acknowledgment came and the cunter attack was broken down by our guns. He then went through the fire to ascertain what had become of his Officer and having found that he would be unable to return went back to the front line trench and endeavoured to pass this fact to the other Station. He continued in this exposed position until about 2.30 p.m. endeavouring to carry out his Officer's duty of watching for a hostile counter attack with a view to signalling the same as had been arranged.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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